Hotel Referendum Slows Berger's Project

DENVER-A potential referendum on the $55.3-million subsidy to Denver developer Bruce Berger for his 1,100-room Hyatt Regency across from an expanded Colorado Convention Center has slowed the project and frustrated Berger.

As GlobeSt.com recently reported, the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union Local 14 has filed 5,000 petition signatures with the Denver Election Commission to stop the subsidy to Berger. The union wants the Hyatt to be completely neutral as it tries to organize employees, while the Hyatt wants the right to tell its side.

Berger says the vote, which probably will be held in November, is the only obstacle he faces on moving forward on the $220-million project. “This obstacle is out of my control,” Berger tells GlobeSt.com. “I had been spending in excess of $100,000 a week on this project and now I have gone into a slow-mode. I’m keeping it alive, but I’m no longer spending millions on it until it is resolved.”